Sell retired LEGO sets, sealed boxes and minifigures
Retired sets, sealed boxes and minifigures are looked at differently from a bin of loose bricks. A set number, a seal, and a complete list of parts are what turn a pile into something a buyer can review. This page explains how to sort and photograph your LEGO.
Short answer: Send the set numbers you can find, photos of any sealed boxes from every side, minifigure photos, and a picture of any bulk bins to (858) 247-2017 or use the form below. We tell you what looks like a fit and make one offer after we review it. In Southern California we can meet in person, and elsewhere we use prepaid mail-in.
What counts as a retired set?
LEGO stops making sets over time, which is called retiring. A retired set is no longer sold by LEGO, and that is why many buyers search for them.
- Find the set number on the box front or the first page of the instructions. It is usually a four to seven digit number
- Star Wars, Harry Potter, Technic, Creator Expert, modular buildings, Ideas, Architecture, and licensed sets are common retired lines
- Large display sets, including Ultimate Collector Series sets, are looked at one at a time
- If a set is still sold by LEGO, it is not retired, and that changes how it is looked at
Sealed, opened and built sets
Factory sealed
Never opened, with the original seals and tape intact. Box condition matters: crushed corners, tears, fading, and water stains are looked at.
Opened, complete
All parts needed to build every model, and ideally the instructions, minifigures, stickers, and box. A set can be complete without the box.
Built
A set that is still assembled can be fine. Keep it dust free and tell us if any pieces are missing or have been changed.
Incomplete
A set missing parts or minifigures can still be looked at. Say plainly what is missing and do not guess.
Sealed means sealed. If a box has been opened and taped again, tell us.
How do I check that a LEGO set is complete?
- Look up the set number and use a parts inventory from a LEGO database
- Compare parts by size and color, not just count, and watch for similar colors such as light and dark grays
- Check the minifigures against the box art, including hair, torso, legs, and accessories
- Check that stickers are on the sheet or applied correctly, and that the instructions are present
- If you cannot check, call it unverified rather than complete. A wrong claim creates problems later
Minifigures, bulk bricks and what to avoid
Minifigures can matter on their own, and bulk lots are looked at by how much is genuine LEGO and how clean it is.
- Collect minifigures with their accessories, and photograph any with unusual prints or from licensed lines
- Genuine LEGO has the LEGO logo on the studs. Compatible and off brand bricks do not count and are best set aside
- Do not sort or wash bulk bins before we look. A photo of the whole bin is enough to start
- Keep smoky, moldy, or sticky items separate and tell us about them
How should I pack LEGO to send or show it?
- Keep sealed boxes upright and avoid stacking heavy items on top
- Bag minifigures and small parts in labeled bags with the set number
- Pack by set, not by color, so parts stay with the set they belong to
- Use a sturdy box with padding for display sets and built models
What we look at
- Retired and sealed LEGO sets in good box condition
- Opened, complete sets with instructions and minifigures
- Large display sets, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Technic
- Minifigure collections and collectible minifigure series
- Bulk loose genuine LEGO that is clean and in good shape
What is usually not a fit
- Counterfeit and knockoff sets
- Lego compatible and off brand bricks mixed in
- Moldy, smoky, or heavily chewed bricks
- Glued builds and marker damaged pieces
Careful notes on selling LEGO
- Do not open a sealed box to check it.
- Do not wash built models or use cleaners on printed pieces and stickers.
- Do not mix brands. Off brand bricks cannot be sold as LEGO.
What photos should I send?
Good photos get a faster and more honest answer. Natural light and a plain background are enough.
- The front, back, and sides of any sealed box, with the set number visible
- The corners and any damage on the box
- Minifigures together on a plain surface
- A photo of any bulk bin, with a handful spread out
- Instructions and inventory sheets, if you have them
How an offer works
We make one offer for the whole lot after we see the items. You are free to say no.
Step 1
You send what you have
Photos and a few details are enough: what it is, roughly how many, and what condition. A form, a text, or a call all work.
Step 2
We tell you if it is a fit
We reply with whether we buy it and whether we can come to you or you should mail it in. If it is not a fit, we say so.
Step 3
We look at the items, then make one offer
We do not quote a price from photos. Once we have seen the items, you get one offer for the lot, and we can explain what drove it.
Step 4
You decide
Say yes and we complete the sale. Say no and you owe nothing.
What moves an offer
- Which exact items, titles, or models are in the lot
- Condition and completeness, such as boxes, manuals, and all the parts
- Whether it works, if it is a device or a console
- What similar items are selling for right now
Who you are dealing with
DeKlutterNow is a small business based in Oceanside, California. You can ask questions before you send anything: text (858) 247-2017 or email hello@deklutternow.com.
Get an offer
Send your LEGO for a review
The more you tell us, the faster we can say whether it is a fit and what happens next. We do not quote a price from a form. Final offers come after we look at the items. You can also text photos to (858) 247-2017.
What to send
- • One photo of everything together, then close ups of the best pieces
- • Titles, brands, model numbers, or marks like 14K or 925 when you can read them
- • Boxes, manuals, papers, or graded labels if you have them
- • Anything that is broken, missing, or not working, so we can price it honestly
- • Your city and zip so we know if we can come to you
What we do not buy
- • Off brand, knockoff and counterfeit sets
- • Lego compatible bricks mixed into the lot
- • Moldy, smoky or heavily chewed bricks
- • Broken, glued or marker damaged pieces
Not sure? Send it anyway and we will tell you. See the full list.
Questions sellers ask
- Do you buy sealed LEGO sets?
- Yes. Photograph every side, show the set number, and tell us if the box has any damage.
- Do you buy used LEGO sets without the box?
- Often yes. A complete opened set with instructions and minifigures is fine, and the box is a bonus.
- How do I find the set number?
- It is printed on the front of the box and on the first page of the instructions. Built sets may have a number on a sticker or in the manual.
- Is bulk LEGO worth selling?
- It can be if it is clean, genuine, and has some useful parts or minifigures. Send a photo of the whole bin.
- Do you buy minifigures?
- Yes. Photograph them with accessories, and note any rare prints or licensed lines.
- What if my set is missing minifigures or parts?
- Tell us exactly what is missing. Incomplete sets can still be looked at, but they are a different item from a complete one.
- Do you buy LEGO Star Wars and Harry Potter sets?
- Yes, sealed or complete. Send set numbers and photos of the boxes and models.
- Can I mail in LEGO?
- Yes. We buy LEGO nationwide by prepaid mail-in. See the nationwide LEGO page for details.
Keep reading
- Sell LEGO for cash in Southern California
- Sell LEGO nationwide by mail-in
- Guide: how to sell LEGO sets and bulk
- Sell LEGO in San Diego
- Sell LEGO in Orange County
- Prepaid mail-in
Questions before you send anything? Text DeKlutterNow at (858) 247-2017.